Maam Cross is a settlement on a crossroads surrounded by mountains and lakes and is renowned for the big October Fair where all manner of goods are for sale from ducks, hens and rabbits to donkeys, ponies and horses as well as the usual fair day stalls.	Maam is a lovely wooded town land beside some great fishing lakes. The ancient woods give the place a magical feel, overshadowed by the Maamturk Mountains with their numerous pre-historic and early historic sites. The Western Way, a long distance walking trail will take you from the southern end of the Maam Valley to the ancient site of Mámean.  On the way to Leenane you will see a signpost for 'Leaba Pháiric' (Patrick's bed), a rock recess and 'Tobar Pháraic' (Patrick's well) which mark a place of pilgrimage, they were traditionally visited on the last Sunday in July, but less so nowadays.
The approach to Leenane is spectacular from all directions. This pretty, old world village lies nestled between the Mwelrea, Devil's Mother and Maamturk Mountains and faces onto Killary Harbour - Ireland's only Fjord.   Leenane ( An Lionán in Irish) means a Ravine referring to the geographical landscape of the sea as it makes its way through the narrows of the fjord to this village •  Film location for ' The Field' , 1990, starring Richard Harris and John Hurt, Produced by Noel Pearson and Directed by Jim Sheridan	Killary is situated on the southern shore of Ireland's only Fjord with unrivalled views of the spectacular bay and across to the northern shore to the Mayo mountains. Killary is known as the Adventure Capital of Ireland.  This part of Connemara would have been badly affected by the famine in the 1840's and there is evidence of the destitution of this era, ruined buildings, a famine relief road dating back to 1856 which would have been constructed by the local people in return for food. There are amazing walks which take you along this historic road. Nowadays it's a much happier spot with a lot of industry including mussel farms in the fjord and a chance to taste them locally.
The traditional thatched cottages add to the beauty and tranquillity of Tullycross village. The local Church (R.C.) with its stained glass windows by renowned artist Harry Clarke overlooks the square. A notable feature of this village is the Ogham Stone; the ancient script spells out the name of the townland, Gurteenachough, meaning little garden of stones. There is a great sense of a thriving comminuty in Tullycross which is well served.  At night the place comes alive with "mighty craic" in the local bars. It is a favourite spot with tourists and locals alike looking for a music session either traditional or contemporary.	Tully is a quaint seaside village in the Renvyle Peninsula . Its little beach Trá na mBean ( Ladies Beach ) is only a stones throw from the village. The small pier at Tully with rock pools and sheltered corners provides a fun place for children and adults to spend the day exploring. Tully is home to the Teach Ceoil (music house). There is plenty to keep you busy in Tully which is starting point of many beautiful walks or if you prefer to go on horseback call to the equestrian centre.
Renvyle Peninsula is steeped in history and archaeological sites. From a Bronze Age Solar Calendar, one of the finest 4,000 year old forests entombed in peat in Europe , the O'Flaherty Castle which was once home to the Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley (Grainuaile ). Renvyle House was once home to the Blake Family and then to poet, statesman and surgeon Oliver St. John Gogarty and was a favourite retreat of poet W.B. Yeats at the time. There are the cleanest of beaches, beautiful walks along quiet country roads and gentle hills. Archaeological sites consisting of of Kanrawer - well of the Seven Daughters, Portal Dolmen at Cashleen, the Church of the Seven Daughters at Cashleen, Ardnagreevagh Chamber Tomb. Much of this area is designated a Special Area of Conservation and is therefore unspoiled by large developments.	Derryinver is a place to relax and enjoy the fresh sea air, the peace, the tranquillity. Derryinver can be found on the serene and tranquil Renvyle Peninsula, a hauntingly beautiful coastline etched out by the ebb and flow of countless tides. It contains an archaeological site of a Six Pillar Stone Alignment which would have been built to line up with the Winter Solstice. Amidst this place you will find Ballinakill Harbour one of the most beautiful, clean, natural and well-protected harbours in Europe and is home to a large variety of sea birds - cormorants, herons, gulls, terns, oystercatchers, guillemots and Curlews and is also home to a small colony of grey seals. Porpoises and dolphins are also frequent visitors.
Letterfrack is a small vibrant village on a crossroads beside the sea with a large village green surrounded by trees and overlooked by the majestic Diamond Mountain and Connemara National Park. There is plenty to do and see in the village as the Connemara National Park is based in the village and is the starting point for some lovely walks including a track all the way to the top of the Diamond Mountain suitable for the most inexperienced hill walker. Also a great furniture exhibition is held every summer at the Furniture College in the village. Or take a boat trip from the pier to fish or dolphin watch.	Kylemore and its lakes are steeped in history. The Castle-like Abbey was built in 1860's by Manchester tycoon Mitchell Henry as a present for his beloved wife. They both fell in love with the area on their honeymoon. The vast sums spent by Henry in building his castle and development of the estate brought employment to the area. Henry's wife died in 1874 and he built the Gothic Chapel in her memory. Henry had his wife embalmed and her body is buried in the mausoleum next to the Church. The Neo-Gothic Church and the Victorian Walled Garden at Kylemore have been restored to its former glory in recent years by the Benedictine Nuns.  You will notice as you pass the lakes, the hills on the far side are indented with ridges. These would have been planted with potatoes before the famine (1840's) when locals sought out an existence to feed their families on steep, rocky hillsides. Lake fishing and beautiful walks are synonymous with this area. •  Kylemore Abbey •  Lake Fishing
Get your camera out as you are about to embark on one of the most scenic drives in the world! There is a photo opportunity at every turn as the Inagh Valley road wends its way through the majestic heather covered mountains and around the picturesque lakes. The vista is ever-changing from day to day as the slightest change in the day is reflected in the lakes and mountains. There are numerous lovely walks of varying lengths and it's a wonderful spot for fishing. If you feel like trying something different there is a wonderful dance movement workshop which takes place at various venues in the area. This is a place to relax and soak up nature.	Recess is set beside Glendalough Lake and mountain scenery, it is a very scenic part along The Connemara Loop . The Derryclare Lough stretches along the glaciated valley of Lough Inagh , dividing the Twelve Bens from the Maamturk Mountains . Recess is a well known angling resort and is famous worldwide for its green Connemara Marble quarries. The marble quarries can be found at the lower slopes of the Mountain ranges. There is also a Shrine to St. Patrick in Recess called Mámean, people go for a pilgrimage here on the first Sunday of August every year.